John Alexander

Air/land polemologist, joint operations expert & trainer. Ex @ChiefofAirStaff Fellow at @selwyn1882 & @OxfordCCW. Ex @HQARRC, @jointAirPower & @UKinPakistan.

[John Alexander @AC_Shaw]

Programme and tickets for the British Commission for #MilitaryHistory summer conference, Whither Operational Art, on 20 June in Oxford, are here https://t.co/UhcDbVB54l
@britjnlmilhist @OxfordCCW @BCMH_ECR_ @DSD_Kings @warstudies @bisawarstudies @societyarmy, @SMH_Historians

[John Alexander @AC_Shaw]

@Steven_Swinford *0.08%

[The Spectator @spectator]

The United Kingdom’s armed forces have long made an indispensable contribution to the defense of the free world.

They are widely respected for their professionalism, discipline, and fighting spirit, and they remain central to the multinational coalitions that Western democracies must form and sustain in an increasingly contested security environment.

I was privileged to serve with “Brits” on innumerable occasions throughout my 37 years in uniform, including in Cold War Europe, Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan – and, in the latter two, to have them under my command. They were consistently magnificent.

Getting the balance right is essential if the UK is to remain a military power of consequence – and a reliable ally – in an increasingly uncertain world

✍️ David Petraeus

Article | https://t.co/3TFiDlIXa5

[Ameer Kotecha @Ameer_Kotecha]

The Hermer revelations disgust me probably more than the Mandelson mess.

I don’t want to be unfair to him, but there’s just something about actively *choosing* to represent the wrong uns and waging this campaign against our country’s bravest. I really struggle to understand how someone can be motivated by these sorts of cases.

And the political naivety by Starmer just seems extraordinary - how could he possibly think that appointing someone with a legal career like Hermer’s to the heart of government was going to be seen as anything but appalling? There is nothing about Hermer’s career which suggests he even likes this country

[John Alexander @AC_Shaw]

Join me at the @RAFMUSEUM Midlands on Thursday at 1200 in person or online here https://t.co/NdZRad9XHz to learn about T. E. Lawrence's front-line RAF service as Aircraftman First Class T. E. Shaw on the Northwest Frontier: what he did, who his colleagues were, and what they ate.

[RAF Museum @RAFMUSEUM]

Join us at our Midlands site on 16 April for our lunchtime lecture Lawrence of Arabia in Miranshah 📜✈️

Explore T.E. Lawrence’s role on the North-West Frontier during WWI and discover a lesser-known side of his story.

🗓️ 16 April 2026
🕰️ 12 noon
📍 Lecture Theatre, National Cold War Exhibition

🎟️Book now: https://t.co/evRIPiW9yR

[Robert Clark @RobertClark87]

'Appointing an Armed Forces Commissioner was a lead defence manifesto commitment by this Government to renew the nation’s contract with those who serve'.

Call me crazy but personally I'd rather you weren't hauling 80 year old veterans into court on cases they were already cleared of.

https://t.co/VIQQRtrW3G https://t.co/DHEAwmKYEs

[Andrew Fox @Mr_Andrew_Fox]

Things Labour can do on Defence: enact legislation to drag our soldiers through the courts.

Things Labour can’t do on Defence: fund it or equip it.

Crazy. They’ve found time for one, not the other.

[Marc Polymeropoulos @Mpolymer]

This just arrived…. Very excited to read.

[RAF Museum @RAFMUSEUM]

Join us at our Midlands site on 16 April for our lunchtime lecture Lawrence of Arabia in Miranshah 📜✈️

Explore T.E. Lawrence’s role on the North-West Frontier during WWI and discover a lesser-known side of his story.

🗓️ 16 April 2026
🕰️ 12 noon
📍 Lecture Theatre, National Cold War Exhibition

🎟️Book now: https://t.co/evRIPiW9yR

[John Alexander @AC_Shaw]

A final reminder that the call for papers for the BCMH 2026 Conference 'Whither Operational Art' in Oxford on 20 June closes tomorrow, 1 April. https://t.co/yZFVhvaAkX

[John Alexander @AC_Shaw]

A reminder that the call for papers for the BCMH 2026 Conference 'Whither Operational Art' in Oxford on 20 June ends on 1 April, notwithstanding the many fascinating papers received already covering different campaigns and using different methodologies. https://t.co/yZFVhvaAkX

[Benedict Spence @BenedictSpence]

I was so depressed by the state of things I hadn’t even realised it was Blue Monday.

[John Alexander @AC_Shaw]

I'm pleased my suggestion, 'Whither Operational Art', is the topic for the @BCMH_news annual conference on 20 June 2026 at Oxford OTC, and I'm organising the programme. The call for papers is here. @BCMH_ECR_

[Patrick Porter @PatPorter76]

If Oxford is within your range this Tuesday, 14th October, @OxfordCCW is launching my book on realism at All Souls Library, 130pm. An all star panel: Jeanne Morefield, @SeanMolloyIR, Susan Martin and @blagden_david. All welcome! Pets not encouraged.
https://t.co/80tMBz5tj2

[James Halstead @JamesTTHalstead]

Delighted to be presenting at Northamptonshire’s Western Front Association this coming Thursday (9th October) about the Battle of Jaroslawice, 21 August 1914.
The talk is at 1930 at:
The Lecture Theatre Church Rooms Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Northampton NN1 3NL

[Royal Air Force @RoyalAirForce]

🇬🇧✈️ The @RAF_Regiment has deployed a specialist counter-drone unit to Denmark after a surge in unauthorised drone incidents.

Working with NATO allies, we stand ready to counter hybrid threats & keep skies safe.

[John Alexander @AC_Shaw]

Pleased that Raffal and Alexander (eds) Close Air Support, both in print and new eBook, is available with 20% off today. https://t.co/hfbgWRFZDc.

[Helion & Company Ltd @Helionbooks]

We’re giving you the chance to stock up on your reading list with 20% off all print and eBooks at https://t.co/3FrJ5Mm32h. Whether you’re relaxing at home, heading away for the long weekend, or just looking for your next great read, it’s the ideal time to treat yourself.

No code needed – simply browse, choose, and enjoy the savings.
👉 Shop now at https://t.co/3FrJ5Mm32h

[John Alexander @AC_Shaw]

@AirPowerHistory Did Hogarth make any progress with #warintheair? The CID sought to replace him with Baring, Lawrence, Groves or others in 1924 because of his lack of progress since appointment in 1922. No mention of #warintheair in his obits and biographies, or his papers at @MagdLibAndArch.

[John Alexander @AC_Shaw]

@AirPowerHistory Easy. J. C. Slessor Air Power and Armies (OUP, 1936). A treatise on air support to a land campaign based on historical analysis using primary sources, rather than a narrative. Subject of my paper at next week's @RAFMUSEUM conference. https://t.co/ovJoqg8YRB

[John Alexander @AC_Shaw]

I've just voted for round 3 of the top 18C commanders. Some tough choices. @AndrewBamford10 @KKriegeBlog

[Prime and Load Podcast @PrimeandLoad]

Round 3 is on! Check to see who made it and who didn't!
#PrimeandLoad #History
https://t.co/VoUEllZ3uI